An Azerbaijani minister has suggested that the recent plane crash involving Azerbaijan Airlines was caused by a weapon strike, based on expert analysis and survivor testimony pointing to external impact. The flight was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, when it crashed during a landing attempt in Kazakhstan. The crash killed 38 people and injured 29 survivors.
Russia has stated that a drone attack was ongoing in the region but has not addressed claims that Russian air defenses may have caused the crash in response to a Ukrainian attack. Aviation experts believe the plane may have been hit by Russian air defense systems.
Witnesses on board reported hearing loud noises and feeling impacts on the aircraft before the crash. The airline blamed the incident on “physical and technical interference” and has suspended flights to several Russian airports.
Russian authorities closed the airspace around Grozny due to Ukrainian drone activity, leading the captain to divert to Aktau, Kazakhstan. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.
This incident comes after the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, which was linked to fighting in Ukraine. Azerbaijan Airlines and other carriers have suspended flights to certain Russian cities due to safety concerns. Investigators from Azerbaijan are cooperating with Russian authorities in the probe.
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